I looked a little more into the naming of Chester and history of Chesire and Chestershire. Chesire, it seems, is a county, and Chester the main town. Historic references to Chester seem to date back to 6th century at least, and that's just what I found in a quick search that pulled up a book written in that era. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book1.html> The Digital Quaker collection online at Earlham.edu <http://dqc.esr.earlham.edu/> has two books on the suffering of early quakers, written by Joseph Besse circa 1750's (you can't link directly to a book because of the way it requires a unique session from the ENTER page) that cover a great deal of info on Quakers of all areas in the late 1600's that were jailed and persecuted. It's a great reference for trying to match up PA ancestors to leads for early Welsh, English and Scottish Quakers who may have emigrated or had children come over after they were killed. You can find stories about jailings, stonings and other persecution that caused early Quakers and their ancestors to migrate. It has many Chester (UK) references that may of be interest. I see Ashmead's History of Delaware County has a footnote online at regarding the claim neither Thomas Pearsons was here until 1683. This gives Pearsons yet another legend - the source of the name of the Tomahawk: <http://www.delcohistory.org/ashmead/ashmead_pg21.htm> 4 Martin's "History of Chester," page 499. See Queries," Penna. Mag. of History, vol. iii. page 358, where the ubiquitous Mr. Pearson presents himself once more in a new light and demanding unexpected honors. The statement in the volume just cited is that in a recent life of Benjamin West it is said, "In the year 1677 or 1678, one Thomas Pearson, from England, settled in a cave on the west bank of the Delaware River, now below Philadelphia. He was a blacksmith by trade, and, it is said, wielded the first smith's hammer in Pennsylvania. About the first work done was to make small axes for his Indian neighbors, who in their short way termed him Tom or Tommy. In their language the word hawk signifies any tool used for cutting, hence the origin of the word tomahawk." That this was "the Pearson" is settled by the statement in the same book quoted from that he was the grandfather of Benjamin West. Here then is the man who, before Penn came, was the only blacksmith in Pennsylvannia making "little hatchets" for the Indians, and from his Christian name and that of the article he produced caused the savages to coin the word "tomathawk." ---- Pearson (supposed to be Robert) turns up in 1682 a passenger on the ship "Welcome," and the proprietary, especially for this ---- Pearson's benefit, changes the name of "Upland" to "Chester" instantly and without reflection. In the future some enterprising historian may yet discover the man who swallowed the first oyster, and I have no doubt that Friend Pierson will have his claims present for that noteworthy act, and in all probability have that claim allowed. Also, quite coincidentally I flipped across the Penn/Pearsons legend in Hazard's Annals of PA, covering the settlement of Delaware from 1609-1682, published 1850. That appears to be the source of some of these legends, though it in turn cites a source as being from an early William Penn bio. So the earliest reference I can find seems to come from Clarkson's "Life of Penn". No idea what date that was published. The actual reference almost sounds to me like it is suggesting Penn responded to the name because Penn was from Chester. It cites Pearson as coming with Penn on the Welcome, and says Penn said "Providence has brought us here safe; thou hast been companion of my perils.; what wilt thou that I should call this place?" Pearson said 'Chester, in rememberance of the city from whence he came.' The way it has Pearson's quote referencing whence he came doesn't sound like Pearson is talking abot where he came from. Where was Penn from or raised?

> OK, all this talk of Pearson has finally nudged me to jump in. I have > an Elizabeth Pearson (born Dec 8 1726 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; > don't have that date/place documented) married John Townsend (born abt > 1724 in Bucks County, Penn; documented by David Greene,PhD, CG, FASG, > in the Pennsylvania Genealogist, Volume 42, Number 4). John's father > was Joseph, and his grandfather was John, who was the brother of a > Richard Townsend who was on the Welcome with William Penn (also have > documentation of this). They were married on Oct 3, 1749 - documented > by records at the Buckingham MM, Bucks County, Penn. She died October > 15, 1795 in Union County, south Carolina, and is buried in the Sardis > Cemetery, Union County, South Carolina. Here is my question: 1. Can anyone find an accurate DOB on Elizabeth? 2. Was her father Enoch, son of Edward, and was Edward the brother of Thomas, who is the subject of all the discussion surrounding the naming of CHester, Pennsylvania? THanks, Kim Townsend Spangrude